New Coming soon Treasure Island on Sky one HD

The "edgier, darker" adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic page-turner Treasure Island, entering production now in Puerto Rico and Ireland and set to air on Syfy next year, has put together an intriguing cast that includes Eddie Izzard, Elijah Wood, Donald Sutherland, and Philip Glenister.

The central role of Jim is being essayed by Toby Regbo (Mr. Nobody), who's about to become very familiar as the teenage version of Dumbledore (doesn't that sound like a contradiction in terms?) in the final Harry Potter movie. His rival for Flint's titular treasure is Long John Silver, who'll be played by Eddie Izzard--which sounds like a bit of inspired casting.

Elijah Wood has been cast as Ben Gunn, the marooned ex-crewmate of Flint's. Flint himself, who I keep imagining with six eyes thanks to Treasure Planet, will be played by Donald Sutherland. Also in the cast are Philip Glenister (Demons, Ashes to Ashes) as Captain Smollet; Rupert Penry-Jones as Squire Trelawney; Daniel Mays as Dr. Livesey; Keith Allen (the deliciously vile Sheriff of Nottingham from the recent UK series Robin Hood) as Pew; and Shirley Henderson (Myrtle from Harry Potter, and Ursula from the Doctor Who ep "Love and Monsters") as Jim's mum.

Though it's airing on Syfy, this Treasure Island is (apparently) presented in its original context; the difference from previous versions will be more a matter of style and flavor.

"Treasure Island is one of the greatest tales in all of literature," said producer Robert Halmi Sr. "We have retained the adrenaline-charged atmosphere and action from the original work, while adding an edgier, darker tone that will resonate with contemporary audiences. It is a thrilling experience to be able to take this story and re-interpret it for today's viewers." Treasure Island is such a great story that it works great on its own--but its durability makes it flexible, too (witness Treasure Planet, or, to shift to another adventure classic, the undervalued NBC version of Crusoe), so there's certainly room for new points of view.

Finally saw it, feet up, large cup of cocoa and the other half elsewhere beign whooped on the PS by his over sugar hyped nephew.

Not that impressed in it. could have been a lot better made. Was that Moaning Mrytle of HP I saw as Jim's mum? How freaky was Elijah and Captain Jack, I mean Mad Ben Gunn. I rate it 4/10. Better than usual crap over the Winter holiday period.